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You are here: Home / Administration / Three license laws affecting benefit auctions
Nov 20

Three license laws affecting benefit auctions

Sherry Truhlar 7 Comments

benefit auctioneer Florida licenses

When I worked as an event planner for GE, I would have been mortified to inadvertently overlook a detail which could have shut down my event. With so many rules to follow from municipal, state, and federal bodies, it’s difficult to stay on top of everything.

As a benefit auctioneer Florida … and in Virginia … and in Kentucky … and in New Hampshire .. and in some other states, I’ve learned that licensing varies greatly from location to location.

Nonetheless, here are three more common licensing mistakes I see as it relates to benefit auctions.

(I don’t hold myself out to be an expert in this area, so always verify with authorities in your corner of the world.)

#1: A Raffle License

Many states have regulations around licensing raffles, sweepstakes, and contests.

My Washington, D.C. clients have debates as to whether they want to involve themselves in the raffle license laws. When an organization secures a raffle license, it must follow rules affecting advertising, the number of tickets sold, and even the time of the draw (an official typically visits the site to witness the draw).

In contrast, a sweepstakes – like a raffle – allows for a drawing and prizes to be awarded, but there is no requirement that a guest pay for the ticket.

I know of one organization which conducts a sweepstakes to avoid the hassle of raffle rules. They ask guests to enter the sweepstakes, but since they can’t sell the tickets, they encourage donations. Most guests make at least a $5 donation, but a donation isn’t required to win a prize.

#2: An Alcohol License

Are you paying a company to manage the alcohol?

Or was the wine donated and your volunteers are serving it?

Are underage students handing out glasses of champagne?

Is there a difference between serving hard alcohol versus wine and beer?

There are so many variations in this area. Call your local authorities and check on alcohol license rules as it relates to fundraising auctions.

#3: A Licensed Auctioneer

At this point, you might be thinking, “Are you kidding me? You need a license to be an auctioneer?”

The answer: Yes, no and sometimes.

It varies by area.

I work frequently in Virginia and Florida, where a license is required. If a person accepts payment in exchange for calling bids at a fundraising auction (“payment” could be a meal), an individual is required to have an auctioneer’s license. The penalty for conducting the auction without a license is ~$2000 fine.

It’s not any more difficult to get an auction license than it is to get a real estate license. Which is to say, it’s not hard — but it does require money and time.  Virginia and Florida auctioneers must attend an approved school, pass a state-administered test, secure a bond, and keep up with continuing education requirements.

In Washington, D.C., the auction laws are different. Virtually anyone can walk into the municipal building and — about $800 later — walk away with an auctioneer’s license in hand.

In Maryland, licensing varies by city or county.  A county license might be $0 to $300; the City of Baltimore is ~$2800.

I’ll be honest: Licensing is complex, costly, and can be confusing. 

Here’s an example.  If a non-profit is based in Maryland, but the auction is to be held at an embassy in D.C., what sort of license is needed?  If they plan on holding a raffle — but only selling tickets at the auction itself (which is at the embassy), do they need a license?  What if the drawing is held the next day, when they are back in their offices in Maryland?  If they are on “foreign soil” (the embassy) when the activity takes place, do they need to follow D.C. or Maryland law? 

Whew! It’s worth a phone call or two to clarify questions with authorities.

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Copyright © 2009 Red Apple Auctions Co. All Rights Reserved

About Sherry Truhlar

Fundraising auctioneer and educator, helping schools and nonprofits plan more profitable benefit auctions. A prolific writer for her own blog and other fundraising sites, she’s been covered in The Beacon-News, Town & Country Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Wiley's Special Events Galore!, AUCTIONEER, and other publications.

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Comments

  1. Frank Trinkle says

    November 30, 2016 at 9:23 AM

    Just a small correction to this post…
    “Virginia and Florida auctioneers must attend an approved school, pass a state-administered test, secure a bond, and keep up with continuing education requirements.”

    Florida does NOT require a bond. There is a Recovery Fund that negates the requirement for individual, or auction business bonding.

    Also, Florida does NOT have a continuing education requirement for auctioneers…at least for now.

    Cheers

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      December 1, 2016 at 9:51 PM

      Thanks for the correction!

      Reply
  2. Lelia Graham says

    June 30, 2014 at 5:27 PM

    Sherry,

    What can you tell me about the legality of having wine or beer as a silent auction item? We are also in Virginia.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      June 30, 2014 at 7:48 PM

      Lelia, that’s a great question, but not for me. I’d call the ABC.

      Reply
  3. Betty Smith says

    June 24, 2014 at 3:14 PM

    Thanks, Sherry! Great advice as always!!

    Reply
  4. Betty Smith says

    June 23, 2014 at 2:18 PM

    Sherry, my non-profit is thinking of changing from a “host” or open bar to a cash bar this year to improve revenues. What do we need to take into consideration? What is your opinion?

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      June 23, 2014 at 10:20 PM

      Great question, Betty! I prefer open bar, but here are ideas to mull over.

      Consider ticket price first. A higher ticket price (“high” in your area) should include open bar. But if you’ve got a bargain basement ticket price and perhaps have a history of losing money on ticket sales, then – by all means – SOMETHING needs to change. (E.G. Either higher ticket price and keep open bar, or switch to cash bar.) Second, consider the crowd. One of my clients has a heavy religious population that will not drink alcohol. To cater to both sets — drinkers and non — they offer two levels of ticket prices. One ticket option includes open bar; the other doesn’t. Third, consider attitude. It can get a bit “nickel-and-dime-y” to have people pulling out their wallet for a drink here and there, only to then start asking them for money. They don’t want guests to start feeling broke before you even ask for the donation!

      A final thought: I’ve had a couple of clients review their cash bar revenue post-event only to find that the money raised was nominal, when compared with the general aggravation of running a cash bar. In both cases, they came to the conclusion they’d rather offer an open bar (which is perceived as more generous) and simply sell an additional live auction item or two and make up the difference in revenue.

      Good luck!

      Reply

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Sherry, oh, Sherry! You were an invaluable asset to this year’s gala. With your assistance we were able to add so many new elements that truly made a difference in taking our event to another level. This year was the most successful yet! Everyone loved you and the amazing energy that you brought to the event. We look forward to having you again in 2018!

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Thank you so much for the outstanding job you did for us on April 1! I have received so much positive feedback from so many who attended. You even earned Sister Suzan’s (our Vice-Principal) seal of approval! Safe travels to all your many events and thank you for making our biggest fundraiser of the year our best ever!

Diane Albano, Director of Development
St. Joseph Academy Catholic High School (St. Augustine, FL)

Sherry is flexible and easy to work with. She gives honest feedback and advice throughout the planning and implementation process. Without a doubt, Sherry and Red Apple Auctions has helped take our annual fundraising event to the next level.

Beckie Middendorf, Development Director and Janet Gulla, Development Coordinator
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Sherry is “on board” from day one of auction planning, works closely with our steering committee and is only just a phone call away. The night of the auction, we toss her the keys and let her drive the event! We are never disappointed!

Charly Ryan, Director of Institutional Advancement
The Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, MD)

I was very fortunate to have Red Apple on board for my first auction. Working with Sherry was invaluable. She provided guidance at every phase of planning, from procurement on forward – and she challenged us to make our event more ambitious and more successful at every stage. Thank you, Sherry!

Pete Goldlust, Director of Development
Oak Hill School (Eugene, OR)

If your auction needs to upgrade, call any auctioneer you find on Google. But if you want your auction to be impressive, meaningful, and profitable, you need to call Sherry.

Erin Banda
2016 NYUMBANI Board member

The auction was entertaining .. proactive … the crowd was involved and felt a part of it,” he said, emphasizing, “The entertainment value was huge.

Darrell, a long-time attendee

We plan on booking Red Apple Auctions much earlier for our next event so we can take advantage of more of the pre-event offerings.

Nicole Carr, Director of Grants and Special Events
The Ivymount School (Rockville, MD)

2012 Oakcrest Anne and CarolinaSherry, personally, I can’t even begin to tell you the immense amount of positive feedback that I received having YOU (and Darby) there with is this… Read The Rest “Anne Livaudais Knudsen, 5th year gala co-chair”

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Staci Meruvia 150 ptYou have NO idea of how many people came up to me (I know Julie as well) and said, ‘That auctioneer was incredible … she engaged the crowd, … Read The Rest “Staci Meruvia”

Geri said: “Great job of getting potential donors in the room to step up to the plate and not feel guilty or bad about it. They actually wanted to give more … and that’s not something I’ve seen in many other auctioneers.” 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 The following… Read The Rest “Geri”

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